[simonwatson]

Hi All,

On my new plot I've inherited a load of raspberry plants. I've been informed that the summer and autumn fruiting varieties have been mixed together. Their a bit of a mess and I'm planning on moving them but I don't know which are which.

Any hints on how to tell them apart?

Thanks

[viettaclark]

You will find you have 3 different types of canes; the old summer fruiting (looking dry and brown), the new strong green summer fruiting canes growing from the base of the old and the autumn fruiting which should still be producing and green although they might be starting to turn.
You can cut down the old summers and thin out the new green summers if too crowded.
The autumns can be left. They produce new growth from the base NEXT year and will need cutting down to the ground when they've finished fruiting but there's no urgency....any time to March really.
Some of us leave the old autumns in and just snip them off a foot or two. They will regrow and give you a summer crop on those canes, THEN cut them down and your new autumn cane will be up and ready.
Your choice....some say you do get a summer crop from autumn canes but it's not worth it.
The summer berries may be small and it may affect the autumn crop.
Personally I leave some and find it's ok.
Have I confused you now?!!!

[viettaclark]

By the way, if you're planning on moving them do it late autumn to early spring. You can sort them into types so you know what's what!

[sunshineband]

Vietta has explained that very clearly  

Could I just add that it really would be  a good idea to move them so that they are nor together. Once you have done your identifying, tie some coloured wool around the summer new shots (the ones you will keep, as summer old shoots are coming off remember) Do this befpre the leaves fall as it is much more difficult after 

You will then know which is which and you can cut off the autumn old shoots when you dig them up to move them.

Give both lots a good feed (potash heavy) and a thick mulch -- not funny weeding around raspberries. I use old leaves from the pile the council give us, about six inches thick  

[simonwatson]

Thanks for the advice everyone, very much appreciated.